nova300 Amplifier

"I doubt that there’s a loudspeaker on the planet that this Peachtree won’t drive with sure-footed authority. Peachtree’s own nova150 aside, I also doubt that there’s an integrated amplifier out there with as much functionality for as few dollars."

- John Darko Digital Audio Review

Newly designed cabinet vent

Now shipping on both Piano Black and Gloss Ebony Mocha cabinets - matches the faceplate finish.

click for larger image

The Integrated Amplifier… Reimagined

In 2007 Peachtree Audio introduced a new integrated amplifier that immediately and forever changed the amplifier landscape. This amplifier - our original Decco - was groundbreaking for its time. It had a unique industrial design with an aluminum front panel, a simple button and knob user interface and a rounded wood case finished with beautiful veneers. Inside, it housed a class A/B power amplifier, a tube buffer visible through a window in the front panel and, most significantly, a USB input with built-in DAC to accept a direct connection from a Mac or PC! "Computer audio" was born, with Peachtree's Decco and Nova amplifiers on the leading edge, and with computer audio a defining part of Peachtree's identity.

We now introduce nova 2.0 . . . a completely new generation of Peachtree integrated amplifiers that reimagines the original concept and takes it to an even higher level. Nova 2.0 is the culmination of everything we've learned as a leader in computer audio, plus a few new things we hadn't gotten to - until now!

DyNEC by Peachtree provides the BEST iPhone music experience!

Peachtree Audio gives you a unique iOS input for your iPhone or iPad. The exclusive Peachtree 2.0 DyNEC (Dynamic Noise Elimination Circuit) eliminates all audible power supply and screen noise. This is the world's only system that addresses this problem and yields a dead quiet background.

Loop feature to add an external tube buffer, EQ or other processor into the signal path

Pre-Out for use as preamp/DAC or with subwoofer

HIGH OUTPUT discrete headphone amplifier

Optional Wi-Fi module to be announced

Available in Gloss Ebony Mocha and Piano Black

Made in North America

Stunning Results

We take great pride in what we have accomplished with the new nova300. It accommodates virtually every type of music source people use today, from spinning vinyl at home to streaming audio from the cloud. We've ushered in an impressive new suite of technological advancements - from the DAC through the power amplifier and at every step in between. This new nova is designed around tried and true audio engineering philosophies to ensure exceptional sound quality and superb measured performance across the board. The new novas are truly the most beautiful and exceptional sounding products we have ever made and are every bit deserving of the designation nova 2.0. We hope you choose to make one a part of your musical life. We are confident that if you do, you will love it!

When will Wi-Fi be available for the nova150, nova300 and nova500?

July 2019 Update:

We are currently in the design validation phase - which means the basic engineering is complete and we are validating the hardware and software design. We anticipate this phase to be completed by the middle of July, then the product testing phase begins. This is when we put the design through real-world testing in various systems and network environments using all of the supported streaming services over an extended period of time. Testing wireless devices is time intensive since there are so many variables to test: multiple streaming services, delivered through multiple internet access providers and broadcast through a home wirelessly via a myriad of networking gear! Nearly every Wi-Fi system out there is unique in some way! We anticipate the testing phase to take 60-75 days. Once testing is complete, the Wi-Fi module will go into production and be made available for pre-order. Assuming no major schedule delays, shipments will begin in October.

The novaSKY Wi-Fi module itself will have a suggested retail price of $249. When nova amplifiers become available with built-in Wi-Fi, they will retail for $200 more than their non-Wi-Fi counterparts. For current nova150, nova300 and nova500 owners, the Wi-Fi upgrade will be offered at a significant discount.Current nova owners will be able to acquire the Wi-Fi upgrade for less than new customers. This is our “thank you” for your patience while we’ve worked to complete this feature.

The Peachtree nova platform is designed to deliver the best performing integrated amplifiers we know how to build, and we look forward to delivering a Wi-Fi module that meets that standard. We pride ourselves on offering products that perform well above their price point and this often takes longer than we anticipate. We believe the results, however, justify the process and we hope you agree.

Thank you once again for your patience and continued support. We sincerely appreciate it!

Reference DAC

The nova300 utilizes the highly regarded ES9018K2M SABRE32 Reference DAC. The 9018 DAC is capable of accepting an extremely wide range of inputs all the way up to 32-Bit/384kHz PCM and 5.6MHz DSD (double-DSD). The DAC exhibits exemplary dynamic range, jitter elimination and low noise characteristics to satisfy even the most demanding listeners.

A New Generation of Power Amplification

The nova300 incorporates the latest generation of ICEPower amplification - with an impressive 300 watts per channel. The amplifier utilizes ICEpower’s innovative and patented Hybrid Controlled Oscillation Modulator (HCOM) feedback and control techniques to ensure high output, wide bandwidth, low noise, robust stability and a simplified overall design. HCOM incorporates separate feedback loops after the power stage and after the output filter. This lets the system address specific issues related to the power stage and output filter independently, resulting in lower distortion, less noise on the output, a less load-dependent frequency response, and a very low output impedance compared to other class D amps. This new amplifier technology is extremely powerful, dynamic, quiet and most importantly... musical. Relatively small size and superior efficiency allows a nova chassis that is even smaller than its predecessors, without the large, heavy and expensive heat sinking common in class A/B amplifiers. The amplifier in the nova300 is capable of driving an extremely wide range of speakers with impedances as low as 2.5Ω and as high as 16Ω. Combine that with a power output of 300 watts per channel and you can be sure this new nova will easily drive your favorite loudspeaker.

World-Class Preamplifier

Where's the TUBE? The tube is GONE?!?

Yes, it is. Because the new nova preamp is just so good! Previous generation Peachtree preamps had a signal to noise ratio in the range of 95 to 100dB, similar to competing preamps. When our signature tube buffer was engaged to smooth out a rough recording the S/N dropped to 88-90dB, an acceptable compromise for the sonic benefit.

The new amplifier modules in the current generation of nova are inherently warmer sounding than previously, while still retaining the accuracy digital amps have always provided. Combined with a cleaner analog section and no noise created by an internal tube circuit and we're now able to get even closer to the sound of the original musical performance. The newly-designed preamp section in the nova300 has a S/N ratio of 111dB and is a major contributor in getting us closer to that original sound.

So has Peachtree given up on tubes? Not at all. We're planning a proper stereo tube buffer, complete with separate power supply, for the future. This will connect into the LOOP input/output of the nova amplifiers.

Quiet as a Mouse

The nova300 utilizes an extensive power supply and grounding design to ensure the noise floor is pushed as far down as possible to allow the music to shine through. Our engineers spent hours upon hours determining the optimal power supply filtering and grounding scheme to prevent any unwanted noise from finding its way into the signal path. As a result, the nova300 achieves a remarkable dynamic range and signal-to-noise ratio. Turn up the nova300 to full volume without music playing, put your ear to the speaker and enjoy the lack of noise!

The nova300 includes a dedicated asynchronous USB connection on the rear panel that provides a direct digital wired connection for Apple Lightning-equipped devices. Simply use the cable that came with your iPhone or iPad and enjoy your music transformed by the ESS SABRE32 Reference DAC and the superior sonic performance of the nova!

We know that streaming music files from the Lightning connection on the iPhone or iPad is VERY convenient. Peachtree wants to make sure you achieve MAXIMUM performance from these high-tech marvels!

By its very nature, any computer generates "noise". A computer's power supply is one source of this noise. Years ago we attacked this issue of computer-generated noise by isolating the USB inputs of our amplifiers. Having successfully conquered "conventional" computer noise, we want to be sure you enjoy the same noise-free performance from your iPhone and iPad.*

*Smart phones, notepads and tablets are, of course, small but powerful computers. Power supplies and high-resolution screen refresh rates are possible sources of noise contamination.

With this goal in mind, Peachtree engineers have developed DyNEC: the world's first and only system to address and eliminate all audible power supply and screen noise. DyNEC assures your music files are streamed to the nova free of any added noise - so your favorite music sounds its very, very best!

Once all sources of noise are eliminated, music files are "handed off" to our internal ESS SABRE32 Reference DAC - further improving performance via asynchronous connection, and eliminating any timing errors caused by jitter.

With DyNEC and an asynchronous connection, Peachtree's dedicated iOS input lets you hear your music with all the clarity, dynamics and emotion the artist intended. So can the iPhone and iPad - perhaps the most convenient music playback devices ever - be taken seriously as high-end audio components? Connected to Peachtree's iOS input, our answer is a resounding YES!

And . . . the new metal-faced Peachtree remote controls basic playback functions like FF/RR and pause, so you can just sit back and enjoy!

DyNEC is a Peachtree exclusive.

What’s Old is New Again

We are pleased to say that the nova300 includes a moving magnet (MM) phono input for direct connection of a turntable. Yes, that's right - a bunch of computer audio advocates made a phono preamp! And not just any phono input... a custom designed circuit that accommodates a wide range of MM cartridge outputs. With the nova300 you no longer need an external phono preamp unless you are using a lower output moving coil cartridge. In that case, the internal phono preamp in the nova300 can be bypassed, allowing the phono input to accept line-level signals from a dedicated phono preamp or any other line-level device. Win-win!

Home Theater Bypass (HTB) is Back!

This is one of our most requested features and it is included in the nova300! HTB allows for easy integration with a multi-channel preamp/processor or audio/video receiver (AVR) so that the power amplifier in the nova300 drives the front left and right speakers for stereo and multi-channel listening. The nova300 amplifier section is likely more powerful and better sounding than any AVR available today - and relieving the AVR from driving the front left and right speakers makes it MUCH easier for the AVR to drive the center and surround speakers. When listening to stereo music the nova300 becomes your control center, and you can enjoy the full benefit of its reference DAC and ultra-low-noise circuitry. If the HTB input isn't needed it can be configured as a standard analog line-level input.

Getting LOOP-y

The nova300 includes an extremely useful LOOP (output/input) feature, allowing you to add an external tube buffer, equalizer or other processor into the signal path as desired. The LOOP button on the remote control engages and disengages the loop audio path utilizing high-performance relays. Do you want to experiment with room correction? No problem. Wire your room EQ component into the nova300 and use the LOOP button on the remote control to easily A-B between correction in/correction out.

Power Amp Mode

The nova300 provides a Volume Control Bypass feature on its digital inputs which puts the nova300 into a "power amp" mode. This is particularly useful if you have a connected source with its own volume control. Have a favorite device or app with a volume slider built right into the interface? Simply bypass the nova300 volume control for that input and use the app slider instead. VERY convenient!

Optical, Coax and USB Inputs

The nova300 offers a standard suite of digital audio inputs, including asynchronous USB for a computer. In addition, there is one coaxial S/PDIF input and two optical inputs that accommodate signals up to 24-Bit/192kHz, assuming the connected device can output those signals. If it can't, no worries; use your computer instead to output your high-res files to the nova300's asynchronous USB input.

Discrete Headphone Amp

Headphone fans will love the newly designed HIGH OUTPUT discrete low impedance headphone amplifier in the nova300. It easily drives any headphone on the market - superbly! The signal-to-noise ratio of the circuitry will impress even the most dyed-in-the-wool headphone enthusiast! When you plug headphones in, the speakers and preamp outputs are automatically muted and the volume knob becomes a dedicated headphone volume controller. Unplug the headphones, and the system reverts back to being an integrated amplifier.

Optional Wi-Fi Module

The nova 2.0 platform was designed to accommodate an internal Wi-Fi module, which is currently under development. We have even reserved an input button on the front panel for it! This will allow you to stream audio directly into the nova300 without the need for connecting any wires. Until then, you can easily connect to the world of streaming audio via a Wi-Fi enabled computer or iDevice, Apple TV (3rd generation), SONOS Connect or Google's Chromecast Audio (to name just a few).

World-Class Engineering

When we set out to reinvent nova, we called on a team of world-class engineers to design a platform that would achieve our simple but lofty objectives: superior performance, more inputs, greater flexibility, wireless capability, smaller size - all this, plus built in North America within the price range of our previous integrated amplifiers. We came together and created nova 2.0: the best sounding, most accommodating and most reliable integrated amplifier platform we have ever built. Listen to the nova300 - we'll let the results speak for themselves!

Made in North America

The nova300 is designed and built in North America. The circuit boards are built, the amplifiers assembled and fully tested, then inspected at an ISO 9001:2008, 13485:2003 (Medical Devices) and MFi Certified Facility in Canada. Amplifiers are then shipped to us in North Carolina where the wooden case is installed and the final product inspected again! Building this product in North America was a coordinated team effort and a significant milestone in Peachtree's history. We are extremely proud that the nova300 is designed and built in North America!

nova300 Specifications

SPEAKER OUTPUT

Compatible Speakers

2.5-16Ω

Output Power (WPC, 8Ω | 4Ω, <1% THD+N, AES17)

300 | 450

Dynamic Range (A-weighted)

105dB

Damping Factor (1kHz, 8Ω)

>625

Frequency Response (20 - 20kHz)

Inter-Modulation Distortion

>80dB below fundamental

Total Harmonic Distortion (AES17, 1kHz, 4Ω)

0.005%

Channel Separation (1kHz, 8Ω)

>90dB

PREAMP OUTPUT

Output Voltage (rms)

3.8V

Output Impedance

100Ω

Signal-to-Noise Ratio (Analog | Digital Source, un-weighted)

105dB | 105dB

Channel Separation (1kHz)

>115dB

Frequency Response (Analog | Digital Source, 8Hz-20kHz)

<0.1dB | <0.5dB

Total Harmonic Distortion

0.003% (2V rms, 1kHz, un-weighted)

HEADPHONE OUTPUT

Output Power (32Ω, rms | peak)

1200mW | 2770mW

Output Power (300Ω, rms | peak)

330mW | 700mW

Output Power (600Ω, rms | peak)

170mW | 350mW

Output Impedance

1Ω

Signal-to-Noise Ratio (Analog | Digital Source, un-weighted)

107dB | 106dB

Dynamic Range (Analog | Digital Source, un-weighted)

107dB | 100dB

Channel Separation (1kHz)

>100dB at 1kHz

Frequency Response (Digital source, 8Hz-20kHz)

<0.5dB

Frequency Response (Analog source, 8Hz-100kHz)

<0.1dB

Total Harmonic Distortion

0.003% (2V rms, 1kHz, un-weighted)

USB-B Input

Formats

PCM and DSD

PCM Sampling Rate and DSD Frequency Rate

16-32 Bit, 44.1-384kHz PCM
2.8224-5.6448MHz DSD

COAX and OPT Inputs

Formats

16-24 Bit, 44.1-192kHz PCM

AUX Inputs

Maximum Voltage (rms | peak-to-peak)

3.5V | 10V

Impedance

100kΩ

PHONO Input

Maximum Input Voltage (rms)

120mV

Impedance

47kΩ

RIAA EQ

No rumble filter used

LOOP Output and Input

Maximum Voltage (rms | peak-to-peak)

3.5V | 10V

Impedance (input | output)

100kΩ | 100Ω

AC Power

AC Input

100-240VAC, 50/60Hz

Maximum Power Consumption

1200W

On Mode (Idle) Power Consumption

32W

Standby Mode Power Consumption

<0.5W

Fuse

100-120VAC: 8A/250V Medium Acting
220-240VAC: 4A/250V Medium Acting

Physical

Height (including feet)

4.37 inches | 111 mm

Width

14.02 inches | 356 mm

Depth (including volume knob and speaker binding posts)

14.25 inches | 361.95 mm

Weight (shipping weight)

17 lbs (21 lbs) | 7.7 kg (9.5 kg)

Warranty

Parts and Labor

Two years
Three years if registered online

“There is something genuinely special about the Peachtree Audio Nova 300 integrated amplifier that is hard to let go of…”

"Its power output and reproduction capabilities are quite simply unsurpassed at its asking price."

"However, it is more than just power that puts this integrated amplifier way above almost anything else. It drove each speaker system effortlessly…with a natural beauty that is quite rare for any amplifier, let alone a unit at this price point."

"The new Peachtree Nova300 is a highly focused and detailed piece of electronics, with remarkably low noise…">

"Features, power, and connectivity options put the Peachtree Nova300 well out of reach for many of its competitors…None offer what the Nova300 does for the price. It’s really hard not to outright recommend the Peachtree Nova300 to everyone based on features and price alone."